What to do when your Whirpool dryer is not heating

Is your Whirlpool® dryer not heating? Sometimes, that happens even when your dryer is spinning. It’s frustrating, and you may worry your dryer is broken. Good news: the fix could be as simple as not overloading your dryer or cleaning the lint filter. 

Asurion Experts answer questions about problems like this every day. We’ll explain what to do when your Whirlpool clothes dryer won’t heat. 

Why Your Whirlpool Dryer Isn't Heating

There are several possible reasons your Whirlpool dryer isn’t getting hot. Here are a few of the most common and possible fixes.

Overloaded laundry

Are you wondering, “why is my dryer not getting hot?” Check your dryer load.

If it’s too full, especially with heavy items like wet towels or jeans, your machine will struggle to get hot enough to dry the entire load. When you do laundry, try putting similar items together—and fewer of them— when you dry and see if this takes care of your issue.

Dirty lint screen 

It’s crucial to clean your lint filter every time you run your dryer. If the screen is dirty or clogged, your dryer will probably still blow hot air, but it won’t reach your clothes and they’ll come out damp even after a full cycle.

If your lint filter still looks dirty even after you’ve removed the lint, soak it in soap and warm water and scrub it clean with a toothbrush. Dry the lint screen thoroughly before replacing it. Then, check the slot where the filter goes to see if lint or other debris has spilled out. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove it.

A blocked vent

If your dryer vent is dirty or blocked with lint or debris, the blocked vents prevent the air from moving moisture out of the drum. your dryer may not heat up. You can find out whether this is the issue by starting your appliance on high heat. Then, find the outside exhaust vent and feel whether the air is warm and has a steady flow. If you don’t feel much airflow, a blocked dryer vent or blocked ductwork may be the reason your Whirlpool dryer has little or no heat.

Not enough power

If there’s no heat in your Whirlpool dryer, check your power source. Whether your appliance is gas or electric, dryer temperature can be affected by insufficient power. For an electric dryer, if a volt line is damaged or not working properly, it’s possible your dryer will spin but not heat. A gas dryer may run, but it won’t get hot if the gas isn’t on or isn’t reaching your machine. If you suspect this is the cause, contact a repair pro. Working with high-voltage electricity or flammable gases without proper training can be dangerous or even deadly. 

Tripped or broken thermal fuse 

The thermal fuse is a safety feature installed in most dryers to prevent overheating or a fire. If your dryer gets too hot, the thermal fuse trips but your dryer may keep spinning even though it’s no longer hot.

If it’s tripped, you can reset the fuse. However, the safer option is to call a repair professional to replace the thermal fuse and diagnose what caused it to trip.  Does your dryer have other issues? Check out our guide to help decide whether to repair or replace your dryer.